Fran Houser will never forget the day when the Cadillacs with the steer horns attached to their hoods pulled up outside her sleepy café and about 15 people popped out taking photos, talking about the sign out front and the curve of the rooftop.

Among the tourists dropping in unannounced that 2006 day was film director and Pixar visionary John Lasseter.

Life would never be the same at Midpoint Café in small-town Adrian, Texas – where the population was 300 and shrinking. Houser's 1928 café along historic Route 66 is widely cited as the inspiration behind the roadside stop known as Flo's V8 Café, a neon palace and a centerpiece of the imaginary Radiator Springs in Disney Pixar's "Cars" movie.

Now, Flo's has been brought to life inside Disney California Adventure as part of the new Cars Land.

And Houser is coming to see it. She'll be part of the opening weekend at Cars Land, invited by Disney officials to be part of a V.I.P. celebration.

"I'm terribly excited," said Houser, 68, who around 1990 bought the Midpoint Café – so named because it's literally the midpoint of the original Route 66. "From that day back in 2006, with all those questions they were asking and all the research they did, to see the worldwide impact it's had – it's just been amazing."

Houser and her Midpoint Café are just two of the many real-life people and places that inspired characters or scenes in the movie. Lasseter mentioned many of them in the credits of the film and in subsequent interviews, bringing them instant fame.

There's author Michael Wallis, who wrote the authoritative Route 66 history, "The Mother Road." Lasseter called upon him to lead the team on a tour of the historic road and, impressed by his baritone voice, gave him a role in the movie as the sheriff.

Sally the Porsche, voiced by Bonnie Hunt in the film, is based on Dawn Welch, the owner of Rock Café in Stroud, Okla.

And Fillmore, the hippie VW van voiced by George Carlin, is said to be based on Bob Waldmire. But Waldmire, who died three years after the movie's release, refused to be acknowledged in official credits – the strict vegetarian said he objected to "Cars" toys being included in McDonald's kids' hamburger meals.

"The entire film is full of symbolism for those of us who know Route 66," Houser said. "Like when Lighting McQueen gets caught in the barbed wire, we know it's a reference to the (Devil's Rope) barbed-wire museum in McLean, Texas."

Houser, who sold the Midpoint Café last year but still lives next door, said she missed the movie premiere at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina six years ago. It was Memorial Day weekend, and she was too busy serving at the Midpoint.

Two servers at the restaurant – sisters Mary Lou and Christina Mendez, the inspirations behind the twin-sister characters Tia and Mia – went to the premiere. This time, they are staying behind to work, while Houser planned to make the Cars Land premiere with JoAnn Harwell, creator of Ugly Crust Pies at Midpoint Café. Pies served at Cars Land will have a similar look, Disney officials said.

To prepare for Cars Land, other teams of Disney Imagineers and even a "food-and-beverage team" from California Adventure went on a similar Route 66 road trip.

"It was clear that those people running businesses on Route 66 were not doing it because it's easy; it's because they love it," said Roger Gould, creative director of theme parks for Pixar.

Houser said she was always happy to welcome any group from Disney to Midpoint.

"I finally retired, because 20 years of standing on your feet, on the hard concrete, gets to you," Houser said.

She plans to turn the gas station next door into a shop selling Texas Western gear. And she definitely has no plans to leave Route 66.

"This is a shrinking town. We're down to 128 people," Houser said. "But there's a whole lot of interest in Route 66. And this is home."

Flo's V8 Cafe in Radiator Springs in Cars Land at California Adventure Park. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Flo's V8 Cafe in Radiator Springs is one of the new attractions you can see in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view along Route 66 in Radiator Springs in Cars Land at California Adventure Park. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Roger Gould, left, and Kathy Mangum, creative leaders of "Cars Land" took an eight-day road trip along Route 66 for creative inspiration. Flo's V8 Cafe is said to be inspired by Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Flo's V8 Cafe in "Cars Land" will include a type of Ugly-Crust Pie inspired by pies sold at the Midpoint Cafe in Texas. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Disney's California Adventure brings to life the imaginary world of Radiator Springs. The ficticious town was inspired by the real people and places found along Route 66. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Fran Houser owned the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, along Route 66 for more than 20 years. This photos was taken in 2002, four years prior to the first visit from the Pixar crew. A visit that changed her life and brought much more business to the cafe. PHOTO COURTESY OF DENNIS PURSCHWITZ

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.